TreeHouse Foods acquires Naturally Fresh

OAK BROOK — TreeHouse Foods said it has acquired Naturally Fresh Inc., a privately owned Atlanta-based maker of refrigerated dressings, sauces, marinades, dips and specialty items in a wide array of packaging sizes, for $25 million.

The products manufactured by Naturally Fresh will be added to each of TreeHouse’s segments, the company said in a statement. Naturally Fresh has annual revenues of approximately $80 million.

The transaction is expected to have a neutral impact on TreeHouse’s earnings in 2012, but is expected to positively impact 2013 earnings by approximately 5 cents per share. The transaction is expected to close within 30 days and will be financed through borrowings under the company’s existing $750 million credit facility.

“Naturally Fresh provides retailers with a premium offering in the refrigerated produce section, and the acquisition is the perfect complement to our existing broad array of private label shelf stable dressings, sauces and salsa,” said Sam K. Reed, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Additionally, the acquisition will expand our refrigerated manufacturing and packaging capabilities, broaden our distribution footprint and further develop our presence within the growing segment of fresh and good for you foods.

“Naturally Fresh’s Atlanta facility, coupled with our existing West Coast and Chicago based refrigerated foods plants, will also allow us to more efficiently service customers from coast to coast,” Reed added.